The meaning 'east' is found in other Gurage languages as well, sometimes also as polysemy with 'up, above' (LGur. 457).
Comment
(LGur. I 913; LGur. 457). Also nännəyä 'upward slope, upwards, ascent, uphill, eastward' (LGur. I 913). From Semitic *ʕly 'to be high, evelated' > South Ethio-Semitic *lay 'above'